Isaiah Canaan is a man on the move. The All-American from Murray State has spent time working out with NBA All-Star point guards Chris Paul and Deron Williams, participating in LeBron James’ basketball camp, taking classes and leading his Racers teammates through workouts.

It’s all in preparation for what he plans to be a memorable senior year and a historic season for Murray State. It’s Sweet 16 and beyond. Or bust.

"Basically I'm working on creating great bonds with my teammates trying to teach them the ropes of what Murray State is all about," Canaan said. "I'm just trying to teach the rest of the team what I learned over the camps and trying to give back and do whatever I can to make this team successful.

"We're trying everything we can to get this team better and like last year and try to repeat what we did. We're just trying to get our chemistry right, take a couple classes and work out hard. ... I go out and play as hard as I can, whether someone like LeBron is on my team or someone I went to high school with. I just play the game the way I know how to play it.”

The Racers spent much of last season ranked in the Top 25, were the last Division I team to take a loss (Feb. 9) and finished the year 31-2 with an NCAA Tournament Round of 32 loss to third-seeded Marquette.

“It’s hard to follow a 31-2 season,” Canaan told ESPN. “But like I said, I like challenges. If that’s my next challenge, I’m going to take it on and try to conquer it. You can never be satisfied with your game. I feel like I can work on all areas of my game. So that’s what I’m going to do this offseason.

“I’m sure I’m going to see a lot of different things, a lot of different defenses next year. I’m going to watch a lot of tape from this past season so I can see different ways that I can get open and get my teammates open and be an overall better player. “

So what’d he learn from Paul and Williams?

"To be honest, I was surprised: They told me there wasn't much I needed to change to my game, just a couple pointers here and there including keep showing great leadership," Canaan said. "They all think I'm a football player, they said I was more fit than all of them. They really just told me to keep playing my game and take what I learned in the camps and apply it and be the same player that I am and be a 3-point shooter here and there. I just want to become a better overall player so I'm going to work on every aspect."

Murray State—ranked No. 23 in Sporting News’ preseason poll—won’t be a one-man band next season. The club lost only big man Ivan Aska from the playing rotation.

Coach Steve Prohm said Ed Daniel, who has spent time this summer working with Amare Stoudamire and James, is expected to pick up much of the rebounding and defense slack from Aska.

Prohm also told ESPN that the progression of lightning fast sophomore-to-be guard Zay Jackson could be the key complement to Canaan and the player who could put the Racers over the top and into the Sweet 16 for the first time in what would be the school’s 16th NCAA Tournament appearance.